Dead rat found in midday meal, 9 admitted to hospital

Sat, 18 Feb 2017 11:03:16 IST

Education Minister Manish Sisodia said that a rat was found in a utensil full of curry following which an announcement was made that no one should eat the food.

Another case of sheer negligence came into notice regarding the serving of mid-day meals in a government school on Thursday, i.e. February 16, 2017. This time, the lethal incident made its victims as many as nine school students from Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Deoli, who have now been admitted to a hospital.

What was wrong with the food?

- Instead of serving nutritious and healthy food to the children, the perpetual unhygienic food got the addition of a dead rat this time

- As soon as the teachers noticed the dead rat in the food, they quickly made an announcement saying that the meal should not be consumed

- Unfortunately, a few students have had already eaten the meal before the teachers could warn them. The children were rushed to a nearby hospital

- Denouncing the reckless attitude, a teacher, keeping anonymity, said, "The food was being served to the students when someone found the dead rat. The situation in the government school is very bad despite the tall claims made by this government."

FIR launched against food supplier

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia affirmed that an FIR against the supplier has been lodged, ceasing his license to supply food.

"A rat was found in a Delhi government school. Nine students have been taken to hospital. Talked to students and doctor. All kids are fine," he tweeted.

Sisodia also tweeted, "Doing an FIR against the mid-day meal supplier. We will blacklist him as well. Such irresponsibility in case of children will not be tolerated."

Food to be prepared under governmental watch

Describing the petrifying image of the whole incident, Sisodia said that a rat was found in a utensil full of curry and then an announcement was made that no one should eat the food. "Meanwhile some students had eaten a bit and they were rushed to hospital. Our officers will remain in the hospital," he said.

He said that on Friday, food will be prepared under the watch of government officials.

Dr R Chugh, medical superintendent of Madan Mohan Malviya hospital said, "Nine kids have come to the hospital with abdominal pain. They are stable and are being observed. They will be discharged in a while after symptomatic treatment."

Directorate of Education (DOE) officials said the supply of mid-day meal in the school was being done by a private firm. "As the minister has already announced, the firm will be blacklisted.